Merciful 1/Merciful - Disc 1.iso/software/b/birds_&_bees/bird&bee's.dms/bird&bee's.adf/std.all

Text File | 1986-06-21 | 5KB | 159 lines

    1Sexually transmitted diseases,
also known as venereal diseases, are a
group of diseases usually but not al-
ways transmitted through sexual inter-
course.] They are caused either by bac-
teria or viruses and can frequently
spread beyond the genital area. Some
(for example, syphilis) can be fatal.
    These next few lessons will briefly
discuss four well-known STDs: gonor-
rhea, syphilis, herpes, and AIDS. If
you are interested, there are other
STDs that you can read about elsewhere.
3It is important to be aware of -- and
watch for -- the symptoms of STD. If
you even suspect that have any of these
symptoms, you should check with a doc-
tor immediately.] A person who has al-
ready had an STD can get it again.
2Most forms of STD can be cured easily
and diagnosed quickly by your doctor
when detected at an early stage.]
    Gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria
known as gonococcus. In the male, the
bacteria attacks the mucous lining of
the urethra. This causes: swelling and
irritation of the urethral tissue, a
painful burning sensation during urina-
tion, and a yellowish discharge from
the penis. Untreated, gonorrhea can
spread to other areas in the male in-
ternal genitals, and may result in
sterility.
    In the female gonorrhea goes
through three stages: infection of the
urethra or cervix, infection of the
pelvis, and a stage of residual and
chronic infection. Because most females
have no apparent symptoms during the
early stages of gonorrhea, it is not
easy to detect. However, in its ad-
vanced stages the disease infects other
internal organs, and may even break
through and infect other parts of the
body. During these later stages, the
infected female may experience nausea,
fever and vomiting. Gonorrhea can
usually be cured by taking oral medica-
tion (penicillin or a single-dose anti-
biotic).

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1There are other ways to contract STD
(venereal diseases) than just sexual
intercourse.
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2STDs are always easy to diagnose.
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1It is important to have a doctor diag-
nose and treat STD immediately.
$
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    Syphilis is caused by tiny,
bacteria-like organisms called spiro-
chetes. The first stage of syphilis is
signaled by the appearance of a sore
(called a lesion or a chancre) at the
site of the entry of the spirochete.
1The lesion usually appears on the ge-
nital and disappears quickly (within
two weeks). However, once they enter
the body, the spirochetes enter the
bloodstream and travel to every organ
in the body. If syphilis is left un-
treated it can cause damage to the
heart, blood vessels, brain, spinal
cord and eyes.] It is spread by sexual
intercourse or direct contact with the
infectious lesions. Penicillin is the
treatment of choice for early syphilis.
    Herpes genitalis is the most common
venereal disease after gonorrhea. Her-
pes is an acute inflammation (swelling)
caused by a virus. External lesions
appear, usually around the genital area
or mouth. 2The herpes lesion is much
less serious than the syphilis lesion
described above.] The infection may be
accompanied by fever, headache or loss
of appetite. The presence of swollen
lymph nodes is also common. There are
some medications that relieve the symp-
toms of this disease, but to date no
cure has been found.
    AIDS stands for Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is caused by
a virus called HTLV-III or LAV. It is
primarily spread by sexual contact, by
sharing needles during drug use, and
from an infected mother to the unborn
child. At this time it appears that the
AIDS virus is almost always spread by
blood or semen. 4Casual contact with an
infected person does not put indivi-
duals at risk.] The disease has been
found most often in the homosexual po-
pulation, though there are many cases
in heterosexuals as well.
    The effect that the AIDS virus has
on the immune system is deadly. Once a
full-blown case is diagnosed, death
usually follows within a year or two.
However, not everybody who has the AIDS
virus exhibits all the symptoms. Why
some people only develop the AIDS Re-
lated Complex (ARC) is not fully under-
stood.
    3There are no known cures for AIDS
(or for herpes, for that matter.)] The
surest way to avoid getting AIDS is not
to engage in sex, and not to become
involved with drugs. If you must engage
in sex, it is important that the man
use a condom, and that you have sex
with as few individuals as possible in
your adult life.
    Doctors are working very hard on
the AIDs problem, but have only come up
with drugs to provide temporary relief.
Prevention is the key to avoiding AIDS
since it can only be contracted through
intimate contact -- either sexually or
by sharing blood (usually via needles).
New information about AIDS is being
learned every day. If you are interest-
ed in learning more, read your newspa-
per, visit the library, or speak to
someone at a medical school or health
clinic.

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2Syphilis is just a sore on the genital
that will go away -- nothing much to
worry about.
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1The herpes lesion is much less serious
than the syphilis lesion.
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1There is no cure for AIDS or
herpes.
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2If a schoolmate of mine has AIDS it is
quite possible for my friends and me to
get AIDS.
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